The winter in the north was very cold.
When the three months were up, it was almost spring.
Western Suburbs of the Capital
The 90,000-strong army was gathered in neat rows. They were wearing the new military uniforms and were fighting in high spirits.
"Greetings, Emperor!"
Liu Mingchuan, Jiang Baili, and Yuan Shikai led the new troops of the three towns to kneel down and shout.
"Get up! Everyone can be more casual."
Wang Guangxu nodded. This was what a soldier should look like. What would a long robe look like?
"Xu Guangqi! Zhan Tianyou! Show me your new weapon!"
Wang Guangxu shouted.
"This subject obeys the decree!"
The two of them then waved their hands, and a few soldiers carrying Mauser 1892 stepped out and stood on the shooting range.
"What gun is that? It looks like a Mauser, but the stock is different."
"This place is 300 steps away from the target.”
"Don't be so sure! It's still a problem whether we can hit it or not!"
"Sharpshooters might be able to hit it!"
Zuo Zongtang saw that the people below were talking about it and rushed to stop it. However, when he thought of Wang Guangxu's right eye, he stopped in his tracks.
"Release!"
"Ping, ping, ping!"
Following the order, the ten people were activated one after another.
" Target number one: center of the bullseye!"
" Target number two: center of the bullseye!"
“……！”
As the messenger reported the target, everyone fell into shock.
"What kind of gun is this? It's much better than the ones we use.”
"With a gun like this, it's worth it to die.”
However, the content that was displayed next made them even more dumbfounded.
It was a kind of iron lump with a wooden handle. It could kill more than ten goats if it was thrown more than two hundred steps away. The mountain field artillery that could be assembled and disassembled quickly was even more powerful than the so-called Red Cannon, but its size was indeed much smaller.
"Your Majesty!"
After the demonstration, Zuo Zhongtang and Li Hongzhang opened their mouths to speak. From their green eyes, it was obvious what they wanted to do.
"It'll be great when you see Gatlin and Maxim show you!“
Wang Guangxu was very satisfied with everyone's reaction and waved his hand to signal them to calm down.
"These firearms are all newly manufactured by the Tianjin Machinery Bureau! Do you want it?"
Wang Guangxu stood up and said to the crowd.
"Yes!"
"With this thing, I dare to fight against the Westerners!”
"Even the Westerners don't have such good weapons! I heard those Western instructors brag!”
"Commander Zuo's personal guards are using the best weapons of the foreigners, which are far worse than the ones just now!”
Everyone's emotions were high as they responded one after another.
"Looks like we have to fire all those Western instructors! The military camp must also be strictly controlled and no one is allowed to enter or leave at will!”
Li Hongzhang and Zuo Zongtang both thought.
"These weapons will be distributed to you within a year. In addition, I want to announce three things today! You just have to do as I say!"
As soon as he said this, the entire place fell silent. No one made a sound anymore.
Wang Guangxu nodded solemnly and continued.
"The first thing is, when all the soldiers see me, they are not allowed to kneel down. There is a special military salute. Someone will teach you the details later.
"The second thing is, you have to remember that we are a country of the Celestial Empire. Wherever my sword points, the people there are pigs and dogs. You can't treat them as humans even if you don't want them.
"The third thing, everyone, cut your braids immediately. I don't want these little braids to drag you down on the battlefield.
When the first two items were displayed, everyone revealed a look of joy. Those who had originally been unconfident were now filled with confidence after seeing the weapons displayed.
However, when the third announcement was made, the atmosphere became strange…
"Your Majesty, you must not leave your hair behind! It was the ancestral system since the Qing Dynasty entered the pass! If…"
Li Hongzhang hurriedly stepped forward and said. In fact, he also wanted to cut off this braid, but that would be a big problem.
"Li Hongzhang! What did I say just now?"
Wang Guangxu interrupted Li Hongzhang and shouted.
"I deserve to die!"
Li Hongzhang didn't dare to speak, and cold sweat broke out on his back.
"The first town of the Xiang Army, listen up! I'll cut off your braids!"
Jiang Baili shouted loudly. He picked up the commanding knife and cut off the braid with a swoosh and threw it on the ground.
"Yes!"
A unified voice rang out, and all the soldiers of the First Town of the Xiang Army pulled out the knives on their legs, cut off their braids, and threw them on the ground…
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